Rotary Club of Centre will mark historic progress toward a polio-free world, while urging community support to end the paralyzing disease

Eventamong thousands to be held by Rotary across the globe on World Polio Day – Oct. 24

Centre, AL (17, Oct. 2016)]–Rotary members in Cherokee County are among thousands reaching out on World Polio Day to raise awareness, funds and support to end polio – a vaccine preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.

Rotary Club of Centre and Youth Leadership Cherokee Class of 2017 are working together to help raise money for Polio vaccines for children around the world.

WHAT: Pennies for Polio

WHO: Rotary Club of Centre, Youth Leadership Cherokee, and Cherokee County School Students K-12

WHEN: October 17 – 24

WHERE: Cherokee County Schools

Since Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiativenearly 30 years ago, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9 percent, from about 350,000 cases a year to 26confirmed as of Sept. 19, 2016.To sustain this progress, and protect all children from polio, experts say $1.5 billion is urgently needed. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to previously polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.

Each year, our Youth Leadership Cherokee students participate in a community project. This year “Pennies for Polio” was chosen and students are collecting 75 cents per bag for Polio vaccines to be administered to children around the world who live in areas where Polio is still active. The Rotary Club of Center is providing bags and information for students to take home and get families involved.

Rotary has contributed more than US$1.6 billion to ending polio since 1985, including over $10,000.00 over the past years contributed by the Rotary Club of Centre.

About Rotary

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. Visit endpolio.org for more about Rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio.